I have a good friend who works as a cashier in a store. One day she was calmly ringing up a large order for a particular family when a lady behind them in line became impatient. She began complaining, and decided to tell my friend to hurry up. My friend calmly replied that she was going as quickly as she could, but the lady would not let up. She kept saying how she could do what my friend was doing much faster, and although my friend was herself becoming irritated by this rude woman, she kept her cool and dealt with the lady with every courtesy.
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1
I saw a little girl in the store the other day. She was sitting quietly in the seat of the shopping cart while her family shopped around her. But she had this sad look on her face, and as I pushed my own cart by the family, I naturally smiled at her. At first she wasn't sure what to make of me, a stranger and all, but then she decided to smile back. It was just a quick one, but there it was. I saw her two more times after that, and each time the smile came quicker and quicker.
When I smiled at them, they scarcely believed it; the light of my face was precious to them. Job 29:24
The lady in the store was in a hurry; she, like so many of us can be, was only centered on her time. As a result, she became angry, placing unnecessary blame on the most likely target. But does anger get us anywhere? Not really. Most of the time it seems to just make matters worse. My friend could have also lost her cool and retaliated, which would have in turn caused everyone else in line to become angry, with two women fighting and the line not moving at all.
But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Psalm 86:13
We always associate Christmas as a time to be happy, or jolly. But contrary to what we might think, many people have little reason to feel such emotions during this time of year. Many do not have families to visit, or money to buy gifts. Many do not have a home to live in, or must simply focus on trying to survive alone on the cold wintry nights. So it is very important that we remember those who are homeless, those recently affected by the terrible flooding across the nation, those who lost someone dear to them, etc. These scenarios and others like them, paint a depressing picture—and it certainly makes those of us blessed enough to have such things look pretty good. We should be thankful for that, but also humble enough to know we might not have those things at any time. We should feel humble enough to not forget everyone else in only focusing on ourselves; we should instead be humbly helping our neighbors and friends, and sharing the love that God has given us.
Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself'". Matthew 22:37-39
But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish. Psalm 9:18
So I would encourage all of us this holiday season to keep our attitudes in check. Try not to get caught up in the fancy-follies of the festival. Remember those who are less fortunate than you, and do your best to brighten their day rather than your own. 'Things' do not make you better off than someone else or make you happy. A person can have everything and still be miserable, just as someone with nothing could be the happiest in the world.
In any case, you never realize what an impact a simple smile or a little hello to someone can have. A kind word or even a hug might have calmed down the lady in the store. A smile obviously brightened the day of the little girl in the shopping cart. These may be simple miracles, but in the face of adversity, these simple miracles are what keep us going, or what gets us back on our feet. Feeling the love from someone helps us to remember there is light amidst all the darkness.
We can't wave our hands over the devastation of the flood victims and make everything the way it was again. We can't bring back someone's lost loved one. But we can show them how much we care; even if it is as simple as a hug. As Jesus was born as a child for the lowest of men to the highest of kings, so is everything we do important as everything else. No matter a person's situation, attitude can often make or break it. Jesus was born to remind us of those simple miracles we take for granted everyday; those same miracles that could change someone's life forever. And who knows? What love you share with someone else just might change your own life.
John answered, "Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same." Luke 3:11
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other. John 15: 16-17
I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace. Acts 20: 23-24
"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luke 2:10-12
Jesus was born to give us hope; we were created to share that hope with others.*
A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones. Proverbs 17:22
Realizing the amazing-ness of the simple miracles,
Whitney
